Big Results on a Little Budget

(Family Features) With the abundance of home improvement shows on TV, DIY has evolved from an intimidating trade for the pros to an easy-to-manage project for even the least handy of humans. Transforming a home from disaster to delightful through simple DIY projects and repairs is much easier than you may think and can save you a bundle in the process. If the thought of doing your own handy work has you wiping your brow, think again with these easy improvements.

Stained tubs. Nobody likes to look in the bathroom and see a dirty, grime-stained bathtub or shower. Most of the time, that grime and grit builds up and becomes difficult to remove, making an already annoying mess even more of a headache. Depending on the type of material your tub is, you can opt for an abrasive powder, baking soda or even a pumice stone to rub out those nasty spots.

Wall dents and holes. Wrestling matches among the kids, rambunctious pets and moving furniture all take their toll on your walls. The dings and scratches are easy to fix with a little spackle and paint, but with the right resources, so are bigger blemishes – even outright holes. When you use a kit such as the 3M Large Hole Wall Repair Kit (Lowe’s, $15.98), there’s no need to hire a pro or buy a bunch of tools for holes up to 5 inches in diameter. The kit includes everything you need to fix anything from a can-light hole in the ceiling to a door knob hole in the wall – no experience required. Unlike mesh screens that can leave lumps on the wall, this product uses an innovative behind-the-wall back plate for a flat fill that generates the same results as hiring a professional.

Dripping faucets. Plumbing can be especially intimidating, but one of the most common plumbing annoyances – a dripping faucet – can be fixed in just a few minutes with just a few dollars. Usually the cause of a drippy faucet is a washer or O-ring that has gone bad and you can simply replace those parts. Turn off the water then use a screwdriver or hex wrench to loosen and remove the faucet fitting. You should be able to easily see the washer and ring fittings. Just replace the old with the new and reassemble. Note that if the drip is coming from a faucet with separate handles for hot and cold, you’ll want to isolate which handle is the culprit before you get started.